Last Updated on June 21, 2024 by Lisa Keys
Stay home and write a thoughtful letter. More about that in a minute.
It's been 3,263 since I lost my son. While some are facing a virus with panic, hoarding and a degree of chaos, I, on the other hand, have a strange sense of courage and calm. I suppose I can thank William for this "no fear" approach to this overwhelming illness. In fact, I think if he were here and working at a hospital he'd call me up and make me laugh saying, "Mom, we are punching corona virus in the face". Ever confidant in his abilities, love for family and this great country of ours, yes, that is what he would say. Even in death, ever the protector. Thanks, son.
William has always had an effect on people. Mostly positive I would like to think, but I am his mother, so what else would I say? Right? Recently, I received a letter from one of his high school classmates. It took courage for her to write it. Nine years ago she didn't have the words, but she so eloquently has them now. She writes:
- William had a profound impact on my life
- He greeted me with the warmest of smiles
- Will made a significant effort to connect
- He took the time to ask how I was
- Will's friendship and kind words were a source of great happiness
- He made my life better
I am so grateful for a letter like this and to connect with this young lady. It reminds me that all these years later he is not forgotten and still so very much loved. That boy .
You are in quarantine. Use your time at home wisely. Write a letter. Tell someone you love them, you are sorry or a funny story. You never know the impact you will have. For more on letter writing check out Mom Advice
Elisa
Your such a good person and I'm sure William was too ! So sorry for your loss. Keep on cooking! ❤
Lisa
Thank you for your kind words. I'm sorry you did not get to meet him down at Camp LeJeune
patcook1
God Bless You and your family! {{{HUGS}}}
Lisa
thank you. Stay well my friend.
Tracy
Love “ punching Corona virus in the face”...
What a wonderful testament to Will’s character to receive a lovely letter like that so many years later.
Lisa
He made such an impact. I really just love his friends and how they have come out of the woodwork to spread a little peace and joy. It means so much to us.
Lou Matino
No question he would be on the front lines trying to help people right now. What an honor for Cole that he had a picture on William's yearbook page.
Lisa
I'm sure all those years ago William recognized the greatness of the man Cole would be today. Don't know if I ever told you that William wanted to go to medical school to become a physician assistant. He was preparing the applications at the time of his death.
Rich Beebe
As you know, my dear, your words also have a special resonance for me. They give me a reminder to assess where I myself am in my own journey of love, loss, and recovery. My own loved ones were both resilient but empathetic (and therefore, both were strong but sensitive to the pain of others), so I am not sure how they would be experiencing the challenges facing our world today. First in line to help? Definitely .. but first in line to be vulnerable to the pain around them? Also definitely. And so, for me? I do find myself asking "What would Eileen be doing? What would Meghan be doing?" ... and as I find the possible answers to those two questions, I hoe to find my own possible path in the days and weeks ahead. Love to you and yours. Be safe, be well, and know you are all loved.
Lisa
Eileen would be the voice of reason quieting everyone's anxiety. And Meghan with her positive outlook on life would be reassuring the masses that all will be okay. We will all be okay in more ways than we thought we ever could. Who was it that said, "we are stronger than we think"......miss her more than ever
Rich Beebe
You captured their probable responses perfectly, Lisa. And the second part of Eileen's favorite quotation is "... and you are not alone." There are many things in this broken and divided world today that saddens and scares me, but I try to cling to the underlying meaning of Eileen's favorite quote ... that we can face the "terror by night" with courage and the knowledge that we are not alone. And I also echo Meghan's own words from a Westover chapel service when she spoke about her mother: "Even in our weakest and most fragile moments, we do not have to live in our fears." The wisdom of a remarkable mother and a remarkable daughter still shines bright. Thank you for guiding me today to remember and embrace their words.
thegsandwich
I think your son is guiding you through this Lisa. And sometimes when we experience such a great loss as yours, everything else seems tolerable.
Lisa
You are so right. No longer sweating much of anything. Stay well dear lady.
thegsandwich
🙂 You too Lisa.
Lisa
I awoke early this morning with the word “ tolerable” on my mind and think that it is not so much that I can tolerate this discomfort but more that I have learned each day is a gift. Any one of us can be struct down in a blink of an eye and while we move through each day with appropriate caution none should be afraid and destroy each day with fear. I hope that makes sense.
thegsandwich
Yes. One day at a time.
Tag Sale Tastes
<3
Lisa
thank you and stay well